Kristen Smith
@kristensmith.substack.com
Seattle HS Math Teacher and Instructional Coach
2018 PAEMST award winner
Author of the upcoming (!!) book: Cultivating Math Confidence: Teaching Strategies to Boost Proficiency in Grades 6-12
2018 PAEMST award winner
Author of the upcoming (!!) book: Cultivating Math Confidence: Teaching Strategies to Boost Proficiency in Grades 6-12
This is a lesson that failed the first time but through years of improvements has turned into a project that students love. If you teach rational functions, definitely check it out. #mtbos #iteachmath
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
The Power of Iteration in Teaching
I had a reflection the other day that came from observing the work of a teacher who I’ve now coached for four years.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This is a lesson that failed the first time but through years of improvements has turned into a project that students love. If you teach rational functions, definitely check it out. #mtbos #iteachmath
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
This post is for anyone who puts in the work to try to figure out how to support every student: open.substack.com/pub/kristens... #mtbos #iteachmath
Where to position our hardest-to-reach students to make them more reachable
A deep dive into purposeful seating arrangements
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:31 PM
This post is for anyone who puts in the work to try to figure out how to support every student: open.substack.com/pub/kristens... #mtbos #iteachmath
This is my go-to routine for building procedural fluency with my students. #mtbos #iteachmath
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
The Skill Builder: A Routine for Building Procedural Fluency and Confidence
There is no problem that is more consistently named as a barrier in math teaching than students arriving in our classrooms without strong mastery of the foundational skills from prior grade levels.
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:19 PM
This is my go-to routine for building procedural fluency with my students. #mtbos #iteachmath
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
This is one of my favorite end-of-unit tasks for Quadratics. I love seeing students’ creativity, so I wrote a post about it! #iteachmath #mtbos
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
Using Exemplars to Unlock the Highest Level of Bloom's
Why exemplars are the on-ramp to creativity
open.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM
This is one of my favorite end-of-unit tasks for Quadratics. I love seeing students’ creativity, so I wrote a post about it! #iteachmath #mtbos
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
I've been using a new format for intervention that I had to share because it has totally shifted how I think of support for students. #mtbos #iteachmath open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
The Power of the Preview
An intervention strategy that builds confidence BEFORE instruction
open.substack.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I've been using a new format for intervention that I had to share because it has totally shifted how I think of support for students. #mtbos #iteachmath open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
I have come to understand that being a math teacher is also being a language teacher. #iteachmath #mtbos
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
September 2, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I have come to understand that being a math teacher is also being a language teacher. #iteachmath #mtbos
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
First post on the new substack is live! Diving into noticing and addressing student mindsets about math. #iteachmath #mtbos
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
Surfacing and Addressing Math Mindsets
A sometimes uncomfortable deep dive into our students' feelings about math
open.substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM
First post on the new substack is live! Diving into noticing and addressing student mindsets about math. #iteachmath #mtbos
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
open.substack.com/pub/kristens...
This was a super fun conversation about how to build our students’ math vocabulary and why it matters. #iteachmath #mtbos
open.substack.com/pub/hollykor...
open.substack.com/pub/hollykor...
Building fluency with math vocabulary
How one teacher uses evidence-based instructional techniques to strengthen math vocab
open.substack.com
August 16, 2025 at 12:13 AM
This was a super fun conversation about how to build our students’ math vocabulary and why it matters. #iteachmath #mtbos
open.substack.com/pub/hollykor...
open.substack.com/pub/hollykor...
Does anyone know about @desmos.com switching over the teacher site and activity builder to Amplify? All of my custom
activities were gone when I tried to log in—it says I have authored zero activities. I really hope that isn’t the case! Any help is appreciated #mtbos #iteachmath
activities were gone when I tried to log in—it says I have authored zero activities. I really hope that isn’t the case! Any help is appreciated #mtbos #iteachmath
June 30, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Does anyone know about @desmos.com switching over the teacher site and activity builder to Amplify? All of my custom
activities were gone when I tried to log in—it says I have authored zero activities. I really hope that isn’t the case! Any help is appreciated #mtbos #iteachmath
activities were gone when I tried to log in—it says I have authored zero activities. I really hope that isn’t the case! Any help is appreciated #mtbos #iteachmath
Great description of a way to implement Thinking Classrooms that combines inquiry with explicit practice. This combines them across days while I combine them in a single lesson but the idea is that students benefit from both types of learning. #mtbos #iteachmath open.substack.com/pub/adrianne...
My Thinking Classroom
In the spring of 2022, our building’s instructional coach walked into my classroom and handed me a bright orange book.
open.substack.com
April 25, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Great description of a way to implement Thinking Classrooms that combines inquiry with explicit practice. This combines them across days while I combine them in a single lesson but the idea is that students benefit from both types of learning. #mtbos #iteachmath open.substack.com/pub/adrianne...
I started doing this end of unit extension project for trigonometry and similarity where students can design their own roof truss. There were some pretty cool design this year! #mtbos #iteachmath
March 31, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I started doing this end of unit extension project for trigonometry and similarity where students can design their own roof truss. There were some pretty cool design this year! #mtbos #iteachmath
This problem was so much fun! It was really exciting to see how many different solution paths students could come up with to find the perimeter of the square. Beautifully knits together properties of trigonometry and Pythagorean theorem. #iteachmath #mtbos @illustratemath.bsky.social
March 13, 2025 at 3:35 AM
This problem was so much fun! It was really exciting to see how many different solution paths students could come up with to find the perimeter of the square. Beautifully knits together properties of trigonometry and Pythagorean theorem. #iteachmath #mtbos @illustratemath.bsky.social
I couldn’t agree more with @dylanpkane.bsky.social approach to online tools in the classroom. I use @desmos.com activity builder for my Warm Up questions each day because the batch feedback is so useful but I set a timer for 7 minutes and students close laptops before we debrief. #iteachmath #mtbos
March 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I couldn’t agree more with @dylanpkane.bsky.social approach to online tools in the classroom. I use @desmos.com activity builder for my Warm Up questions each day because the batch feedback is so useful but I set a timer for 7 minutes and students close laptops before we debrief. #iteachmath #mtbos
Reposted by Kristen Smith
Celebrate Pi Day in any subject! 𝜋 🎉 These engaging, informative activities help students explore pi’s history, applications, and more.
#EduSky #ITeachMath
#EduSky #ITeachMath
Celebrating Pi Day Across the Curriculum
Engaging, informative Pi Day activities designed for middle school math, ELA, science, and social studies.
buff.ly
March 4, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Celebrate Pi Day in any subject! 𝜋 🎉 These engaging, informative activities help students explore pi’s history, applications, and more.
#EduSky #ITeachMath
#EduSky #ITeachMath
This problem was great! A student said: “Wait but I just realized it also works if you switch them! Sin(41) still equals cos(49) even though it’s a totally different value!” And then another student said: “Wait, does it also work for 30 and 60?” And the whole class was like YES! 🤯 #iteachmath #mtbos
March 4, 2025 at 4:25 AM
This problem was great! A student said: “Wait but I just realized it also works if you switch them! Sin(41) still equals cos(49) even though it’s a totally different value!” And then another student said: “Wait, does it also work for 30 and 60?” And the whole class was like YES! 🤯 #iteachmath #mtbos
We launched trigonometry today in Math II. I’ve been using this resource for years and it’s still my favorite way for students to investigate the ratios. Students walk away understanding where the values in the calculator “come from”. #iteachmath #mtbos www.projectmaths.ie/documents/T&...
February 27, 2025 at 3:17 AM
We launched trigonometry today in Math II. I’ve been using this resource for years and it’s still my favorite way for students to investigate the ratios. Students walk away understanding where the values in the calculator “come from”. #iteachmath #mtbos www.projectmaths.ie/documents/T&...
I love teaching right triangle trigonometry. Just when my Math II students start to think that math has taken a turn toward abstract symbols and equations and is not “real” enough, trigonometry shows up with all of its lovely simplicity and real-world applications. It really saves the day.
February 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I love teaching right triangle trigonometry. Just when my Math II students start to think that math has taken a turn toward abstract symbols and equations and is not “real” enough, trigonometry shows up with all of its lovely simplicity and real-world applications. It really saves the day.
Reposted by Kristen Smith
Our Math Team has mapped the math language routines onto the Teaching Through Problem-Solving lesson format. Teachers can see where there might be opportunities to integrate a MLR into the lesson. MLRs are not add-ons. They are essential.
#iTeachMath
docs.google.com/pres...
#iTeachMath
docs.google.com/pres...
February 21, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Our Math Team has mapped the math language routines onto the Teaching Through Problem-Solving lesson format. Teachers can see where there might be opportunities to integrate a MLR into the lesson. MLRs are not add-ons. They are essential.
#iTeachMath
docs.google.com/pres...
#iTeachMath
docs.google.com/pres...
Reposted by Kristen Smith
CLopen Mathdebater
speaking with a clopen mind...and a portmanteau or two...
clopendebate.wordpress.com
February 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I believe there is a lot of merit to the idea that explicit instruction is highly effective when done well and is key to effective instruction. I also believe inquiry can be highly effective when done well and @mrzachg.bsky.social focuses on the ways it can fall short when not done well. #iteachmath
Listen Back! Just Tell Them by @mrzachg.bsky.social : The Late Show with James Radburn
teacherstalkradio.podbean.co... @johncattedu.bsky.social
teacherstalkradio.podbean.co... @johncattedu.bsky.social
Just Tell Them by Zach Groshell (Sponsored by John Catt): The Late Show with James Radburn | Teachers Talk Radio
In conversation with Zach Groshell, PhD, we dive into the power of explicit teaching and why clear, structured explanations matter in the classroom. Zach, an educator, instructional coach, shares insights from his book Just Tell Them, challenging common misconceptions about teaching and learning.
From debunking discovery-based learning myths to exploring the role of effective explanations, student engagement, and evidence-based teaching, this episode is packed with practical strategies and thought-provoking discussions for educators at all levels.
This show is brought to you in partnership with John Catt Educational, publishers of professional development books and resources that support great teaching and learning in schools around the world. Level up your professional development today by visiting johncattbookshop.com to explore the full range of titles. Use the code JCTTR2425 for 20% off your order!
Tune in to The Late Show with James Radburn for this must-listen conversation with Zach Groshell! 🚀🎙️
teacherstalkradio.podbean.com
February 20, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I believe there is a lot of merit to the idea that explicit instruction is highly effective when done well and is key to effective instruction. I also believe inquiry can be highly effective when done well and @mrzachg.bsky.social focuses on the ways it can fall short when not done well. #iteachmath
Reposted by Kristen Smith
Here's why your education friends had a real rough one today. It's... it's the entire education data collection apparatus of the United States.
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
February 11, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Here's why your education friends had a real rough one today. It's... it's the entire education data collection apparatus of the United States.
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Reposted by Kristen Smith
Really enjoyed hearing from Gail Burrill about ways to integrate AI with math teaching to empower students as learners #NCTMKC25 #mtbos #iteachmath
February 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Really enjoyed hearing from Gail Burrill about ways to integrate AI with math teaching to empower students as learners #NCTMKC25 #mtbos #iteachmath